State government had promised expansion before Winter Session in Nagpur this December
Even as the state government gears up for the Winter Session of the legislature in Nagpur next month, discussion about a Cabinet expansion has started once again igniting hope among its alliance partners of procuring a ministry.
The alliance partners, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha led by Mahadeo Jankar, Swabhiman Shetkari Sanghatana led by M.P. Raju Shetti and RPI led by Ramdas Athavale had been promised ministries for supporting BJP. Even the Shiv Sena was promised more Cabinet berths, but nothing happened. Upset, the alliance partners have openly started expressing their disappointment about not having a Cabinet expansion. However, now they are also looking to secure a place in the Cabinet before the December session of the legislature.
“We have been hearing about the Cabinet expansion but no assurance has been given to us. We want a ministry in the state. Last time, when the BJP offered me a ministry in the state, I refused and told them I wanted a ministerial berth at the Centre. However, I want a ministry here for my leaders. Also appointments for the corporations have not been done. We have demanded our share in that too,” RPI leader Ramdas Athavale said.
The chief minister who was present during the RPI programme on Wednesday in Mumbai said that RPI would get its share in the government.
“Athavale had joined hands with the saffron alliance for the betterment of Dalits and not just for power. Athavale had first demanded the Indu Mill land for Dr Ambedkar’s memorial after we came to power. The RPI will very soon get their share in power,” the CM said. However, he did not give any time frame for the Cabinet expansion.
Another alliance partner Mr Shetti also expressed his disappointment on the issue. “We have not been informed about any Cabinet expansion. We were told that the expansion will take place before the Nagpur session of the legislature in December. But nothing has happened so far. I had met the CM two days ago but he did not talk about it,” Mr Shetti said.
The third partner and MLC Mahadeo Jankar was not available for comment but a promise had been given to his party of reservation for the Dhangar community. The Dhangars want reservation under the tribal quota, which has been opposed by BJP’s tribal minister Vishnu Savra. Mr Jankar had earlier talked about the BJP’s failure to accommodate the partners in the Cabinet.
